--------------------- Making Counters 101 -----------------------

Compiled by Daryl Lonnon

So you've decided you want to make some counters for playing
your favorite game.  But how do you make "quality" counters.

There are two methods I've been able to find on the web.

The first is championed by Bob Waller of the Warmaster list.  I've
had very bad luck with using this method, but I'm including it for
completeness.  Also it seems like if you could get it to work, it'd
work very well.

Bob Waller Instructs:

  +++MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS - my preferred method

  1. Purchase the cheapest 1'x1' self-stick vinyl tiles you can find at
     your local hardware store. They run about 20cents each or so.

  2. Peel off the tile's protective film from the sticky side. Do not
     touch the sticky side!

  3. Take a counter sheet and carefully align the top corner and left
     side with the respective edges of the tile. Practice this on some
     unused tiles first to get the hang of it.

  4. After you have aligned the sheet to the edges and all is square,
     press the sheet onto the sticky side of the tile in a sweeping
     motion like your hanging wall paper. Make sure it is completely
     secure. Thankfully the tiles are cheap and the counter sheets
     are free, so don't panic if it takes a while to get the hang of it.

  5. Now you will cut the tile into counters. Using a straight edge
     carefully score the sheet and tile along the lines. Cut through
     the sheet but DO NOT cut through the tile! Simply score it.

  6. Once scored, simply snap the tile along the line and you'll
     get a clean break. It's really simple and fast. This gives you
     a crisp, clean counter that will hold up to a ton of abuse.
     This is a trick from other miniature games that don't have
     stands included in their miniature packs.

Problems I found:
o The glue on self-stick vinyl tiles reeks.  And I mean reeks.  Nor
  does the smell go away with time.

o The glue soaks through low-weight paper, ruining any pictures on the
  front of the counter.

o The paper tends to tear when you are scoring the vinyl tile, ruining
  the counters.

Solutions:
o I suspect a heavy weight paper would solve the glue soaking and the
  paper tearing issues.  Not sure if it'd do anything about the
  smell.

David Lewis of the Fantasy Rules! mailing list proposes something
different.  His site is no longer operational, so this is a bit
from memory and a bit from experience.  Counters made this way
are also slightly more expensive than made using Vinyl Tiles.

1. Purchase the following:
   o Spray Adhesive.  Found at most craft stores.  IIRC, 3M makes a can
     of this stuff.
   o Polystyrene sheets (I prefer 0.030" or 0.75mm width) 6" by 12",
     found at most railroad supply stores.  -or- Ultra-Pro Comic
     Dividers, made of polypropylene material, found at comic book
     shops or on the web.  Polystyrene sheets are around $1.50 each an
     the comic book dividers are around $0.50 a piece.  Polystyrene
     sheets are easier to find and a slightly thicker (IIRC).

2. If using Polystyrene, take sandpaper and roughen up one side.  The
   comic book dividers are already textured to accept labels (and
   glue).

3. Spray the plastic sheet with the spray adhesive, making sure you
   spray the roughened side.  Also make sure you cover the entire
   sheet.

4. Carefully set the counter sheet over the polystyrene.  You might
   need to pre-cut the sheet to maximize your coverage.

5. Run your hands over the counters, smoothing out any wrinkles and
   making sure there is good contact across the entire counter sheet.

6. Once dry, you need to cut up the counters.
   o If using thick polystyrene (0.06" or thicker), you will probably
     need to use a straight edge and score the polystyrene and snap
     it off against the table edge.
   o Thinner polystyrene or polypropylene can be cut with good
     scissors and/or a paper cutter.
   Note: In general, people are better at using scissors (or paper
	 cutters) than a hobby knife and a straight edge.  You will
	 probably get better results using thinner sheets and
	 scissors (but thicker sheets will be heftier when you finish).

7. You're finished.  Go forth and conquer.
    
Issues:
o If you don't go with thick polystyrene, they are relatively thin
  counters.  They ARE thick enough that they will not overlap easily,
  nor blow around.

Hope the above helps,

Daryl